I was diagnosed with Rheumatoid arthritis at the end of 2007 and ...

have you tried increasing your intake of omega-3 oils? they are naturally anti-inflammatory and our modern diet is unnaturally too high in omega-6 oils, which are inflammatory and has led to all kinds of diseases of western civilization.
try eating in a more natural ancestral way and really trying to get as many natural anti-inflammatory things in your diet as possible. Carlsons fish oil is a great source and it will amplify the effects of the prednisone without the side effects.
you are too young to be suffering like this and way to young to be taking that much prednisone forever. it's too damaging.
i recently had a bout of Nephrotic Syndrome for which the treatment is 2 months at 60 mg of prednisone a day and then tapering down. the doctor wanted me on 4 other drugs- prilosec to protect my stomach, fosomax to protect my bones, lipitor to lower cholesterol (NS causes temporary high cholesterol) and lisinopril to lower blood pressure (my BP is 110 over 70- no need to be lower).
i refused them all, taking only the prednisone and 16,000 mg of omega 3 fish oil a day (10 teaspoons). plus a licorice supplement for my stomach and natural progesterone cream for my bones. also vitamin D, glutathione, lots of B vitamins (for kidneys)
the results? my NS has resolved faster than the doctor has ever seen and i'll start weaning off the 60 mg of prednisone after 5 wks instead of 8. my glucose levels are fine (prednisone can cause diabetes like glucose levels that lead to cataracts and glacoma) thanks to my complex mostly vegetarian and whole grain diet.
and my cholesterol is coming down on it's own as my blood protein levels have gone back up. my doctor at first was saying "no, it can't be. it's too soon."
now when i say i think that the omega 3 oils have enhanced the anti-flammatory effects of the prednisone, he says "well, i'm not going to argue with you. you're probably right"
so try that. i realize i'm taking way too much but i'm trying to hit any inflammation really hard. once i'm totally off prednisone, i will start tapering down eventually to maybe 4 teaspoons of fish oil a day.
the taste is pleasant. i pour it on grains, mix it in soup, use it in salad dressings or just swallow a tablespoon. added effects- my skin is radiant! everyone has commented on it. i'm almost 56 and while, i've always much younger, now i look even younger. i feel better in every way
please try it. a nutritionist suggested it to me. i told my pilates teacher and after a week of taking it (just a regular amount) his fiance commented that his skin looked wonderful. i think everyone should take it.
if you can get your inflammation down in natural ways, you will have a much better life. diet is a big part of it. get yourself tested for subtle food allergies. if you eat meat, make sure it's grass fed, not grain fed and has no antibiotics or hormones. if you eat fish, make sure it's wild caught, not farm raised (farm raised fish eat corn, not seaweed like they're supposed to so farm raised salmon has omega 6 oils where as wild caught has omega 3)
don't eat anything white- flour, rice, potatoes- all that will spike your glucose levels which is more dangerous when you're on prednisone. eat only whole grains, brown rice, and yams. up your vegetable intake (leaves contain more omega 3)
in the book Anti Cancer, A New Way of Living, the author discusses the importance of having a diet that is balanced between omega 3 and omega 6 oils and how our diets have gotten all topsy turvy, how most contemporary diseases that are on the rise in younger and younger people are due to inflammation. until you get the balance right and drive out the inflammation, you might have to avoid much omega 6 and overdose on omega 3 as i am
i hope you try this. it can't hurt and i sure believe it will help. let me know

ps- i don't have any of the other troubling symptoms of prednisone- weight gain, moon face, aches and pains, etc.
evfen with taking in an extra approximately 400 calories a day of pure fat (omega-3 oil) i have not gained an ounce and am even a good 6 lbs lighter than before i got NS

I'd also suggest taking a high-quality, pro-strength, balanced multi-vitamin-mineral complex from a reputable brand. Also, make sure that your protein intake is adequate -- corticosteroids induce (among other "things") muscle-wasting and you need to compensate for it. In addition, why not to seek a 2-nd opinion -- there might be a chance that there's a good alternative to prednisone with far less short and long-term side effects... Be well!

I am much older than you and after a fall pre-exiting osteo & rheumatoid arthritis flared in my whole body. After a year with the orthopedic doctor and pain management I went to a rheumatologist. After trying several medications for several weeks at a time he gave me the predisone 5 mg. twice a day. One month of no change he added methotrexate & folic acid to help to help protect from liver damage. Started 4 tablets once a week for 2 months after the second week the pain was letter up. Then 6 tablets weekly for 2 months with additional improvements to be seen. When I asked to go back to the 4 he increased it to 8 for 2 months and there were no additional benefits so I am at 6 weekly once again. We're trying to cut at least a half of one of the predisone dosages working towards only taking one a day. I am looking forward to getting off these medicines because of the possible side-effects but the doctor said that I was on a maintenance dosage and he didn't expect that I would be completely off them.

Dear Friend:
I'm a case of sterlity & was prescribed this drug for 6 months . Please try an alternative treatment of HOMEOPATHY a German medicine therapy. it takes a few months for these drugs of homeopathy to give results but b patient. I know what's life on steroids if i cant take them for 6 months how can u for whole life? nothing is impossible to treat in homeopathy. Biochemic science is also beneficial. try out find a good homeopath i know God would cure u pray to him i mean it"HOMEOPATHY CAN CURE ANY DISEASE" AND THESE DRUGS HAVE NO SIDE EFFECTS U CAN CONTINUE STEROIDS WHO KNOWS IF NOT STOPPING IT HELPS LOWER UR DOSE HOPE TO HEAR FROM U MY EMAIL ADDRESS IS cvikrant@yahoo.com

I have Crohn's disease and was on anti-inflammitories for a long time. This ended up causing my rheumatoid arthritis to really flare up. I started taking 3 enteric coated Fish Oil Pills (500mg) by Fisol every night and stopped taking the anti- inflammitories. My rheumatoid arthritis pains disappeared within days. I don't know if this will help you, but it's worth a try.